The red European poppies were flowering in the fields on road verges for most of last month, but I’ve posted about poppies every April and May, here and here; this year there is something else red flowering in the fields all around the house. Do you remember that a few years ago almost every show garden at Chelsea had red clover (Trifolium incarnatum)? The farmers here must have been inspired (I jest – this has always been a planted to improve the soil and I think make good hay for the sheep and cows (not absolutely sure about that).
Trifolium incarnatum with Vetch
Trifolium incarnatum
ploughed soil and a line of clover
St. Bernard’s Lily Anthericum liliago
This delicate looking plant was growing wild in my friends garden; if it were in mine I’d move some to a border where they could be enjoyed.
Above and below:
While visiting a friend’s garden I saw a plant I’ve heard of but never seen before, Cerinthe major is well known in its purple form but the wild yellow form is never planted in gardens as far as I know.
Cerinthe
With all the rain this year so far, I’m thinking of renaming 2013 as the year of the snail! I have many more than normal in my garden this year, but nothing like the number my friend has in hers; these are all gathered on one poor rose bud.
